Building construction



1936- -A. HOHNER 2,066,268

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed. June 12, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 w lrzfienl'or Andrew 110/2 Dec. 29, 1936. A. HOHNER BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed June 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 172 yen for" A n drew 110/2126? M a. Q

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Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Andrew Hohner, Ottawa, Ill.

Application June 12, 1936, Serial No. 84,907

8 Claims. (01. 72-19) This invention relates to building construction.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved building construction which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and efflcient in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction for applying a brick veneer surface or facing to the wall of a building.

Other objects of the invention are: to provide a new and improved brick and a new and improved device for mounting the same upon the wall of a building; and to provide a novel corner brick and a novel device for holding the same in position of use.

I am aware of the fact that heretofore various types of building construction have been employed utilizing bricks and various means or devices for attaching the same to the wall of a new building, but, insofar as I am aware, none of these building units has ever been devised for attaching the bricks to the wall of an old building having wooden siding thereon. Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved building unit embodying a novel means for attaching the bricks embodied therein to the siding of an old building in such a manner as to provide the latter with a brick veneer or facing.

I am also aware of the fact that various building units have heretofore been employed in which there have been embodied bricks and various devices for attaching the same to the wall of a building. Many of these building units have, however, embodied bricks, and various attaching means or devices therefor, of such a complicated design and form or construction that they are expensive to manufacture and assemble, from the standpoint of material, time, and labor involved. Thus some of these prior art building units have embodied attaching means or devices for the bricks consisting of heavy, thick, wood strips which are expensive both from the standpoint of time and labor involved in manufacture and material required, and others have embodied metal attaching devices of special and complicated design, requiring special tools and operations to form the same, thereby making them costly from the standpoint of time, labor and material required.

Another object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved building unit embodying a brick, and attaching or supporting means therefor, which are relatively simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, from the standpoint of. the material, time, and labor involved.

Fig. 2 is a'perspective view showing a preferred fcg'iigi of the brick embodied in the new building 11 Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the new building unit attached to the wall of a new building;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a preferred form of the corner brick embodied in the new building unit;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional viewshowing a preferred form of the corner construction embodied in the new building unit; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing a modified form of the invention which is designed to be applied to the wall of an old building having wooden siding thereon.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of the drawings, and is therein shown as applied to the wall of a new building, the new building unit or construction embodied in this form of the invention being gen-' erally indicated at I0 and comprising a brick or tile I I which may be made of any suitable material and by any desired and suitable method.

The new brick I l comprises a body l2 and this body I2 is provided on its upper surface l3 with a horizontally and axially extending groove l4; and on its lower or bottom surface If: the brick I0 is provided with a horizontally and axially extending groove Hi. The outer or front surface ll of the brick II is substantially flat and on its inner or rear surface the brick H is provided with a horizontally and axially extending groove l8 which providesa dead air space for heat insulation when the brick H is in use and attached to sheathing or wall I9 (Fig. 3). Formed in the brick II, and continuous with, and as a part of, the groove I8, is an undercut portion or groove 20, and extending downwardly over, thatis, overhanging, this undercut portion or groove 20 is a 5g wall or sheathing it of a building, and for supporting the same thereon, and this means or device includes an attaching member in the form of a relatively thin metal strip 23 which is at tached to the wall 19 by suitable fastening elements in the form of nails 24 or the like. Each of these attaching strips 23 includes a flat straight lower portion 25, which is attached to the wall is by means of the fastening elements 24, and each of these attaching strips 23 also includes an outwardly and upwardly angled portion or flange 26.

The new building unit I0 also includes a corner construction, which is generally indicated at 21, and this corner construction includes a corner brick 28 (Fig. 4) which is substantially rectangular in cross section, although it may be made in other forms, as will be explained hereinafter. The corner brick 28 includes a relatively long arm 29 and a relatively short arm 30, and the long arm 29 is provided, on its inner surface, with a vertically extending groove or channel 3| which forms a dead air insulation space 3| when the brick is attached to the wall or sheathing 32 of a building. The outer marginal edge of the groove or channel 3| is defined by an undercut portion or groove 33 and extending over this undercut portion or groove 33 is a flange 34. Similarly, the inner marginal edge of the groove 3| is formed by an undercut portion 35 and the outer marginal edge of the groove 31 is formed by an undercut portion 35 and extending over this undercut portion 35 is a flange 36 which has a straight-sided inner surface or edge 59 (Figs. 4 and 5).

In a similar manner, the inner surface of the short arm 30 of the corner brick 28 is provided with a groove or channel 31 which, when the said brick is in use, forms a dead air insulation space 31, the outer marginal edge of this groove 31 being formed by an undercut portion or groove 38 over which aflange 39 extends, and this flange 68 has a straight-sided inner edge or surface 60.

The corner construction unit 21 includes a means or device for attaching the corner bricks 28 to the sheathing or wall 32 of a building (Fig.

5) and this means or device consists of three similar and vertically extending thin metal strips 40, 4|, and 42 which are attached to the wall or sheathing 29 by means of fastening elements such as nails or the like.

The attaching strips 40, 4| and 42 are relatively short, that is, when in position of use they extend vertically only the vertical length or height of the corner bricks 28. The attaching strip 40 includes a relatively straight flat portion 43 which is attached to the wall or sheathing 32 by means of fastening element, such as nails or the like, and this strip 40 also includes an outwardly angled portion or flange 44. Similarly, the strip 4| includes a relatively flat, straight portion 45 which is attached to the sheathing or wall 32 by means of suitable fastening elements, such as nails, and the strip 4| also includes an outwardly angled portion or flange 46. The attaching strip 42 is similar to the attaching strips 40 and 4| and includes a relatively flat, straight portion 41 which is attached to the wall or sheathing 32 by means of nails or the like, and this strip 42 also includes an outwardly angled portion or flange 48.

In the practice and use of the form of the present invention which is shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the horizontally extending attaching and supporting strips 23 are attached to the wall or sheathing IQ of a new building, by means of fasaoeaeee tening elements such as nails or the like, and the bricks ii are then placed on, or inserted onto. the attaching and supporting strips 23 in such a manner that the upwardly and outwardly flared portions or flanges 26 of the strips 23 project into the undercut portions or grooves 20 which are formed in the bricks I I, and the inclined surfaces or inner edges 22 of the bricks ll lie against and bear upon the upper and rear surfaces of the flanges 26; the attaching and supporting strips 23 thus holding and supporting the bricks II on the wall or'sheathing l9. As each row of the bricks H is laid, the grooves l4 in the next adja-' cent lower row of bricks are filled with mortar, and when the bricks in the next adjacent higher row are pressed down onto the bricks ll therebelow the mortar enters and fills the grooves l6, thus forming a lock joint 49 (Fig. 3) between the bricks and thereby holding the same in position of use upon the wall or sheathing 32 and against displacement therefrom.

When the new building unit I8 is in use the grooves I8 in the bricks ll cooperate with thewall or sheathing I9 to form dead air insulation spaced for preventing the passage or transfer of heat therethrough, thus' providing an eflicient heat insulation. It is likewise to be noted that the new building unit is relatively simpler in construction and less expensive to manufacture and assemble, from the standpoint of time, labor, and material involved, than some of the prior art building units of an analogous or similar nature, since in the present building unit the bricks II are very simple in design and the attaching and supporting strips 23 are likewise very simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture and install since they are merely a flat strip of metal, such, for example, as galvanized iron, bent to form the upwardly and outwardly flared flange 26; it being noted, in this connection, that this operation may be accomplished without the use of, or necessity for, any special forming tools or dies such as are required in the manufacture of the attaching and supporting strips which are embodied in certain of the prior art building units of an analogous nature. Moreover, the attaching strips 23 are economical from the standpoint of material used since they may be made from relatively thin flat stock or strips of metal and they have this advantage over certain of the prior art building units which employ relatively thick heavy metal or thick wood strips for supporting the bricks in place and which strips are expensive to manufacture and install, from the standpoint of material, time, and labor involved.

The manner of assembling the corner construction 21 is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein it will be seen that the arrangement of the bricks 28 in alternate rows of bricks are reversed, that is, the short arm 38 of one brick is laid over the long arm 29 of the next adjacent brick therebelow. In assembling these corner units 21 the short attaching and supporting strips 48, 4| and the use of any mortar, although if desired, the 16 top and bottom surfaces of the corner bricks 28 may be provided with grooves, such as the grooves l4 and ii in the bricks ll so that they may, if desired, be interlocked by means of mortar lock joints such as the lock joint 49.

While the corner bricks 28 have been shown as embodying the three flanges or ribs 3443-39 and corresponding undercuts or grooves 3335 33, respectively. the middle flange or rib 36 and the corresponding undercut or groove 35, and attaching and supporting strip H, may be dispensed with, if desired, since the two attaching strips 40 and 42 and the corresponding undercuts or grooves 33-38 and flanges or ribs 34-39, are sufllcient to hold the corner bricks 28 in position of use and against lateral displacement therefrom.

A modified form of the present invention is shown in Fig. 6, and this form of the invention is especially adapted for use in conjunction with, or application to, old buildings which have wooden siding. Accordingly, this modified form of building unit, which is generally indicated at 50, is shownas applied to the wooden siding 5i of an old fiuilding, the siding 5i being attached to the inner wall or' sheathing 52.

In the use of the modified form of building unit which is shown in Fig. 6, the bricks ll (Fig. 2) are also employed and are locked together in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3, that is, by the mortar or lock joint 49. This modified form of the invention, illustrated in Fig. 6, diflers from the form of the invention which is shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, in that it is especially adapted for use upon old wooden buildings which are provided with wooden siding 5|; and the specific difference between the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, and the form of the invention which is shown in Fig. 6, resides in the manner of mounting the anchoring andsupporting strips 53 upon the siding 5|, this being accomplished as follows: At the start of the operation a series of parallel, vertically extending grooves or channels 54 are formed in the siding 5|, by means of an electric rotary saw, or by any other suitable tool, these grooves 54 extending only partially through the thickness of the siding 5|. Relatively thin wood strips 55 are then inserted into the grooves or channels 54, wherein they are fastened to the siding 5i by any suitable fastening means such; for example, as nails. The attaching and supporting strips 53 are then secured, horizontally, to the vertical strips 55 by means of suitable fastening elements, such as the nails 56. These attaching and supporting strips 53 are preferably made of thin metal so that the nails 56 may be readily driven therethrough; it being noted, in this connection,

. that these attaching and supporting strips 53 are exactly similar in construction and design to the strips 23. Thus, each of the strips 53 includes a relatively straight, lower portion or base 51, through which the nails 56 are driven, and each strip 56 also includes an upwardly and outwardly flared portion or flange 58 on which the bricks II are suspended to complete the operation, the bricks ll being arranged upon the strips 53 and locked together in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3, and hereinbefore described in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive.

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6 provides a new and inexpensive method and construction for putting a brick facing or veneer upon an old building which is provided with wooden siding, and this is simple and inexpensive from the standpoint of time, labor and material required. g

If desired, the corner construction 21, including the bricks 23, may be employed in connection with the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6. although this is not absolutely essential since other forms of corner construction, than that shown, may be used in connection with this form of the invention, if desired and the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 is not limited to use with the corner construction or unit 21.

The particular angle at which the upwardly flared flanges 26 and 58, extend from the straight flat portions of the attaching strips 23 and 53,

respectively, may be varied within a wide range between the horizontal and vertical, that is, through an arc of somewhat less than and this angle need not be confined to the particular angle shown in the drawings.

It is also to be noted that while the corner bricks 28 which are shown in the drawings are made substantially L-shaped and with their arms 29 and 30 intersecting at an angle of ninety degrees (90 this angle may be varied, if desired, so as to accommodate the bricks 2a to the various angles found in the corners of bay windows, and other places, where the angles may be either more or less than ninety degrees, (90).

The metal attaching and supporting strips 23 and 53 may be placed on the walls of buildings in such manner as to allow a full size brick above and below all openings between the siding or sheathing as well as at the tops of porch columns and these metal strips 23 and 53 may be spaced to allow for either a light or heavy mortar joint, as desired.

It is also to be noted that while the new construction is shown as applied to the outside wall of a building the same may, if desired, be used to provide a plain or glazed surface or facing on the interior walls of a building and, in this event, the position 'or angle of the arm 30 of the corner brick 21 will be reversed so that it will extend downwardly, as seen in Fig. 5, rather than upwardly, as shown, and in this event the flange 39 on the arm 30 will be arranged on the outer side of the same, rather than on the inner side of the same, as shown.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my in-,

. tion set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. A building wall comprising sheathing, bricks, each of said bricks having a channel-shaped groove formed therein onits inner surface and provided with a flange projecting over a portion of said groove, said grooves providing dead air insulation spaces when the said brick is in use, and means for attaching the said bricks to the said sheathing, said means consisting of a thin strip of flat metal stock having a fiat straight portion attached to the said sheathing, by means of nails or the like, and said strip including an outwardly flared portion providing a flange projecting into the said groove and under the said first-named flange for supporting the said brick in position of use upon the wall or sheathing of a building.

2. A building wall comprising sheathing, bricks, each of said bricks having a channel-shaped groove formed therein on its inner surface and provided with a flange projecting over a portion of said groove, said grooves providing dead air insulation spaces when the said bricks are in use, said flange having a straight sided inner edge inclined at an angle relative to the position of the said bricks when the latter are in use, and means for attaching the said bricks to the said sheathing, said means consisting of a thin strip of flat metal stock having a flat straight portion attached to the said sheathing by means of nails or the like, and said strip including an outwardly flared portion providing a flange projecting into the said portion of said groove, and under the said first-named flange in a position wherein the said edge of the latter bears against the said second-named flange, so as to support the said bricks in position of use upon the said sheathing.

3. A building wall comprising sheathing, bricks, each of said bricks having a channel-shaped groove formed therein on its inner surface providing a dead air insulation space when the bricks are in use, said groove including an undercut end portion and having a flange projecting over said groove, and means for attaching the said bricks to the said sheathing, said means consisting of a thin strip of flat metal stock having a flat straight portion attached to the said sheathing by means of nails or the like, and said strip including an outwardly flared portion providing a flange projecting into the said undercut portion of said groove and under the said firstnamed flange for supporting the said bricks in position of use upon the said sheathing.

4. A building wall comprising sheathing, bricks, each of said bricks having a relatively wide and horizontally extending channel-shaped groove formed on its inner side providing a dead air insulation space when the brick is in use, said groove including an upper end and 'undercut portion and having a flange overhanging said undercut portion and provided with a straight inner edge inclined at an angle between the vertical and the horizontal when the brick is in upright or position of use, each of said bricks .having a groove formed therein on its upper surface and also having a groove formed therein on its bottom surface for the reception of mortar so as to form a lock joint with the corresponding bricks above and below the same, and means for attaching the said bricks to the said sheathing, said means consisting of a. thin strip of flat metal stock having a flat straight lower portion attached, in horizontal position, to the said sheathing by means of nails or the like, said strip including an upwardly and outwardly flared portion providing a flange projectinginto the said upper end portion of said groove and under the said first-named flange, and ma position wherein the said edge bears against the said second-named flange, so as to support the said bricks'in position of use upon the said sheathing.

5. A corner brick construction for buildings, comprising a brick including two intersecting arms adapted to embrace or lie against corresponding walls of a building at a corner of the same, each of said arms having a relatively wide and vertically extending channel-shaped groove formed therein on its inner surface providing a dead air insulation space when the said brick is in use, each of said grooves having an undercut aosaaee stantially flat straight portion adapted to be attached, in vertical position, to the wall of a building, by means of nails or the like, and each of said strips including a portion extending angularly from the said first-named portion of the same and providing a flange receivable in the undercut portion of the corresponding one of the said grooves so as to retain the said brick in position of use upon a wall or sheathing of a building and against horizontal displacement thereon.

6. A corner brick construction for buildings, comprising a brick including two intersecting arms adapted to embrace corresponding walls of a building at a corner of the same, each of said arms having a relatively wide and vertically extending channel-shaped groove formed therein providing a dead air insulation space when the said brick is in use, each of said grooves having an undercut portion arhacent the laterally outer end thereof providing an overhanging flange on the corresponding arm of the brick, one of said grooves having another or second undercut portion adjacent the laterally inner end thereof providing an overhanging flange on the corresponding arm of said brick, and means for attaching the said brick to the wall or sheathing of a building, said attaching means consisting oi. relatively thin metal strips each having a substantially flat straight portion adapted to be attached, in vertical position, to the wall of a building, by means of nails or the like, and each of said strips including a portion extending angularly from the said first-named portion of the same and providing a flange receivable in the corresponding one of said undercut portions so as to retain the said brick in position of use upon a wall or sheathing of a building and against horizontal displacement thereon.

7. A corner brick construction for buildings, comprising a brick including two arms intersecting at approximately ninety degrees, and each adapted to embrace a corresponding wall of a providing a dead air insulation space when the said brick is in use, each of said grooves having an undercut portion adjacent the laterally outer end thereof providing an overhanging flange on undercut portion of the corresponding one of said 'grooves'so as to retain the said brick in position of use upon a wall or sheathing of a building and against horizontal displacement thereon. l

8. A corner brick construction for buildings, comprising a. brick including two intersecting arms, one of said arms being longer than the other and each of the same being adapted to embrace a corresponding wall or a building at a corner of the same, each of said arms having a relatively wide and vertically extending-channelshaped groove formed therein providing a dead air insulation space when the said brick is in use, each of said grooves having an undercut portion adjacent the laterally outer end thereof providing an overhanging flange on the corresponding arm of the brick, and means for attaching the said brick to the wall or sheathing of 'a building, said attaching means consisting of relatively thin metal strips each having a substantially flat straight portion adapted to be attached, in vertical position, to the wall of a building, by means of nails or the like, and each of said strips including a portion extending angularly'from the said first-named portionof the same and providing a flange receivable in the undercut por-- tion of the corresponding one of said grooves so as to retain the said brick in position of use upon 7 a wall or sheathing of a. building and against horizontal displacement thereon.

ANDREW HOHNER. 

